Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has been commended by labour unions for his administration’s decisive efforts in clearing a N12 billion backlog of gratuities owed to retired local government workers.
At a ceremony held Thursday in Yenagoa, over 1,000 retirees from the state’s eight local government areas were presented with symbolic cheques, marking the full payment of long-standing entitlements dating back as far as 2007.
In recognition of his commitment to local government reforms and workers’ welfare, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) honoured Governor Diri with the award for Best Governor on Local Government Reforms in Nigeria.
Presenting the award, NULGE National President, Comrade Aliyu Kankara, praised Diri’s administration for introducing financial reforms that revitalized Bayelsa’s third-tier governance, ensuring better service delivery, timely promotions, and improved welfare packages.
Kankara highlighted milestones under Diri’s leadership, including: Implementation of an N80,000 minimum wage for council workers, Salary increments of 25% and 30% as well as Financial support to local councils for the payment of primary school teachers’ salaries
“Governor Diri has demonstrated a rare commitment to human capital development and has excelled where many others failed,” Kankara said.
“Since assuming office in 2020, his administration has paid over N20 billion in gratuity arrears.”
The National President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Dr. Kabir Sani, also lauded Diri for significantly improving the lives of grassroots health workers in the state.
In his remarks, Governor Diri said paying workers and retirees their dues should be a norm, not a gesture worthy of applause.
He revealed that although some critics accused him of political grandstanding, he was motivated by personal experience.
“I remember my father, a retired teacher and headmaster, almost died without receiving his pension. That experience shaped my priority to clear these outstanding gratuities,” Diri said.
He recounted how, during a one-time windfall in state allocation, he directed the immediate payment of N7 billion to settle pensions and gratuities.
Governor Diri also credited his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, for effectively overseeing the reform process and ensuring its successful implementation.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Thompson Amule, provided context to the achievement, noting that before Diri’s administration, only four of the state’s eight councils were able to pay salaries regularly.
The others were heavily indebted and unable to meet financial obligations.
He added that promotion for workers had been stalled for more than five years before the current administration introduced fiscal reforms to restore financial stability.
The Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Mr. Lelei Tariye, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said the local government system in Bayelsa is now functioning efficiently.
He praised the state government’s commitment to council autonomy, even before the Supreme Court’s directive.
Governor Diri concluded by reiterating his vision for inclusive governance focused on improving livelihoods, increasing food production, and enhancing revenue through agricultural development.
He once again urged council chairmen to focus on farming in areas of comparative advantage.
The event’s climax was the symbolic presentation of the N12 billion cheque to over 1,000 retirees, marking a historic moment in Bayelsa’s labour and governance history.
